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Character arc

Trick is a member of Clan Fin Arvin and is perhaps thousands of years old, during which at a time he reigned as a Fae monarch, The Blood King, alongside his late wife Isabeau, with whom he had a daughter, Aife, and later a granddaughter, Bo. It is Trick who more than any other character guides and teaches Bo about Fae society.

Trick with The Ash1.13 "Blood Lines"

Trick left the Old World for the Americas in 1419 on a Song Dynasty Junk ship (Barometz. Trick. Pressure). In hopes of a better life for all, he started a Fae colony in the New World and established the Dal Riata pub as neutral ground for members of both Fae clans. He remained proprietor of the tavern until his death.

He has been known to be incredibly secretive about the exact nature of his powers, motives, and his identity as the legendary figure in Fae history that forged a peace truce between the warring Light and Fae clans. This day became known and celebrated as La Shoshain. Only a few individuals are aware that he was The Blood King. Dyson secretly works for him as his lieutenant.

During The Great War, Trick ruled as one of the numerous Fae warlords of the time who did battle with other leaders. Near the end of the war, as casualties on both sides rose to horrific levels, Trick's wife Isabeau began to believe that peace had to be the path for the Light and Dark if either side was to survive – an idea he rejected.

Blood King and Isabeau2.22 "Flesh and Blood"

After communicating with some of her husband's Dark Fae enemies, who agreed to a summit with the hope of beginning the peace process, Isabeau approached Trick about the summit and pleaded with him to accept. However, he simply refused to allow such a meeting to take place, fearing it was only another trap, and as such forbade Isabeau from conducting the meeting, but Isabeau secretly went ahead with it.

The summit went on as planned until a force of Fae soldiers arrived and slaughtered all those present, including Isabeau and Horvis, the leader of the Dark Fae army. It would later be revealed that it was one of The Blood King's own royal advisers who had hired the assassins and signed their orders, forging Trick's signature and using his seal to put the blame on The Blood King.

This subterfuge caused factions of both Light and Dark to become so outraged that they demanded his death. To avoid execution, and to end the war for good, Trick used his powers as a Blood Sage to write the codex of laws that became the truce between the two sides. This truce would last for centuries and brought about a great era of relative peace; however, it was not without its costs.

Trick and The Garuda2.22 "Flesh and Blood"

As a Blood Sage, Trick's powers inadvertently triggered events that would cause him to lose his daughter, Aife. Aife became vengeful and increasingly hostile towards the Dark Fae, who she believed killed her mother. Ultimately, Aife gathered a cadre of rebels from both clans who, like her, sought to break the truce by assassinating a Dark Fae clan leader. She killed her target, but her plan failed when the other Light Fae clans refused to follow her, and her own father turned her over to the Dark Fae who ordered her to be executed, but was instead kept prisoner and tortured by a Dark King for many centuries before she managed to escape. This loss so affected Trick he would later call it his greatest regret.

In Blood Lines, when Trick used his blood powers to change destiny by making Aife's maternal instincts emerge and stop her from hurting or killing Bo during their hand-to-hand battle, he also caused the last, remaining Garuda to awaken from its dormant hibernation.

After The Morrigan prevents Hale from becoming the permanent Ash in Hail, Hale, the local territory is left without a Light Fae leader. In Let the Dark Times Roll, The Una Mens summoned Trick and informed him that he had been selected to be the Acting Ash.

Trick is killed together with Aife by Hades, with their throats cut (Family Portrait). Hades positioned them in a stage-like setting for Bo to find; with Trick sitting on a throne and Aife sitting on the floor, resting against the throne. Trick was able to say goodbye to Bo before dying, reminding her that she was also of his blood.

In Follow the Yellow Trick Road, Trick's last will and testament is read. He left Kenzi the Ring of Yggdrasil, which allows the wearer freedom from claiming and the freedom of passage in both the human and Fae world; he left Lauren his tomes of the occult, hoping she someday finds the balance between science and magic; Tamsin was left the Blanket of Skeemotah, woven from the sky, with the message that "as long as we are under the stars, we are home"; Vex was left the Compass of Nirad in hopes that he stayed true to the new path he had found; he left the Dal Riata to Dyson and Mark, with the message that Dyson was now and forever his son, and asked him to show Mark 'the way'. Finally, to his granddaughter Bo he expressed his gratitude for what she had given him and his pride in the honorable, kind, strong woman she had become, and the message: "Life is not about finding your path, it's about creating one. Please don't forget...you are my blood, too. Always and forever."

Personality

Trick's sexual orientation is heterosexual.

He is very wise and caring. He has shown great diplomatic skills when dealing in Fae politics. As the owner of The Dal Riata his diplomacy is essential.

Trick is well respected and is often sought out for advice due to his extensive knowledge of the Fae world.

He has been shown to be stern and strict when necessary.

He seeks help from Lauren when necessary due to her equally extensive knowledge of all things Fae – Lauren focusing on Fae biology while Trick is the superior source of information related to Fae history.

Trick is a paternal figure to many, especially Bo, and to a greater degree Kenzi.

Like Bo, he does not treat humans as inferior, demonstrated by his obvious affection for Kenzi and respect for Lauren, although when push comes to shove his loyalties lie with the Fae.

As a Blood Sage, anything Trick writes in his own blood comes to pass and he uses a special﻿ set of instruments, ink bottle, and pen to write in an ancient Fae language. He seems very adamant about not using his powers, as his written destinies also create unintended consequences, which makes him reluctant to use his powers unless absolutely necessary.

Quotes

"Most of us feed on the humans in some way. Their blood, energy, emotion. It’s the nature of Fae." – to Bo (Vexed)

Trivia

Trick was one of the earliest Fae immigrants to the New World, where he ultimately settled and eventually opened The Dal Riata, a neutral ground Fae tavern and Way Station.[1]

Trick is respected by The Ash and The Morrigan, and is considered an honorary Elder of the Fae community but does not appear to hold any specific office. He works within the Light Fae for a greater purpose that has not been fully revealed. Furthermore, Trick has also been very careful to ensure that only a handful of Fae know his true identity as The Blood King. The reasons for this remain unclear.

In La Fae Époque we learn that the nickname "Trick" he has come to use as a first name was given to him by Dyson when they met for the first time in 1899.

Trick's name in the Lost Girl: Prologue is given as "Patrick Mac Morrigan."

The surname "Fitzpatrick" is the known translation of Mac Giolla Phádraig and Ó Maol Phádraig from the original Irish to English. It is one of only two attested surnames of native Gaelic-Irish origin with the Norman French "Fitz" prefix. All others are of Hiberno-Norman descent. The name was first used in 1541 (and is therefore of too recent an origin to be Trick's original name).[2]

Appearances

Showcase character description

Lost Girl: Prologue

Trick (played by Rick Howland) (2011)

Trick is the mysterious, old owner and bartender of The Dal Riata tavern, a “way station” that serves as neutral territory for the local Fae, and where all traveling Fae must check in and make their allegiances known. Politically savvy, though not politically ambitious, Trick is also a secret confidante and mentor of Dyson's, and personal rock for Bo. Trick himself risked much to protect Bo’s safety, and the consequences of his actions are just starting to present themselves. But Trick is also the guardian of Bo's true origins and he is determined to keep this information from Bo… although whether it is for her sake or his is a question that weighs heavily on him.[3]

Trick (Rick Howland) (2013)

Trick is the ancient and noble Blood King, but lives undercover as the mysterious owner and bartender of The Dal Riata Tavern, a “way station” that serves as neutral territory for the local Fae. Trick is also Bo’s grandfather, which she has only recently discovered, and he has served as her personal rock as she searched for her origins and learned about her Fae powers. Though he prefers to avoid the spotlight, Trick is the most knowledgeable about the Fae and isn’t afraid to intervene for the greater good of the Fae and provide guidance to his friends when they need him.[4]

Syfy character description

Trick | Rick Howland

Trick is the mysterious old owner and bartender of The Dal Riata tavern, a "way station" that serves as neutral territory for the local Fae, and where all traveling Fae must check in and make their allegiances known. Politically savvy, if not politically ambitious, Trick is also a secret confidante and mentor of Dyson's, as well as Bo's grandfather (both were shocked by this news). Trick is also "The Blood King," a powerful Fae sage who can alter fate if he writes certain outcomes in his own blood. So, you know, don't mess with him.[5]